Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazulla gave some remarkable insight into his motivation throughout the NBA Playoffs. When asked if there was anything he was doing to keep himself from being engulfed by the pressure of coming back from a 0-3 start, Mazulla gave a shocking answer.
In an Instagram post, Mazzulla told CBS Sports, “Honestly, I met three girls under the age of 21 with terminal cancer. I thought I was helping them by talking to them, but they were helping me. So having an understanding about what life is really all about and watching a girl dying and smiling and enjoying her life. That’s what it’s really all about and having that faith.”
Mazulla added that most people typically only glorify God when they win, but he plans to praise Him regardless. He concluded, “You know, the other thing is, you always hear people give glory to God and say thank you when they’re holding a trophy. But you never really hear in times like this,” referring to being down 0-3 to the Miami Heat.
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He concluded, “And so, for me, it’s an opportunity just to sit right where I’m at and just be faithful. That’s what it’s about.” The Celtics lost their series to the Miami Heat, who would ultimately lose in the NBA Finals to the Denver Nuggets. Mazulla became the Celtics’ interim head coach after the organization suspended Ime Udoka. Many doubted him due to his lack of experience.
However, the organization eventually made him the official head coach and extended his contract. In an interview with Andscape.com, Mazzulla stated, “I know that for my wife and I and my family, we’re supposed to be here. For us, our faith is really important, and we felt like we followed God’s plan to a T as to where He wanted us to be.”
His talk about his faith was soon backed up in a post-game interview. Prince William and Kate Middleton attended a Celtics game, and Mazzulla was asked if he had met the Royal Family. Mazulla asked, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph? I’m only familiar with one royal family.”
Mazzulla had a rough time in college after being arrested twice in 2008 and 2009. However, despite his past, he didn’t dwell on that. Instead, he learned from it. He told CBS News, “I’m not the same person I was. As you grow as a person, you’re constantly having to build an identity. I didn’t have one at a certain point in my life for whatever reason. You have to find a foundation, and for me, that’s my faith.”